Thirteen-year-old author Micaela Ellis will visit Hill Road Library at 12 p.m. on Sunday. August 18, to speak about her book, Autism over the Years: A Twelve Year Old’s Memoir. During this talk Micaela will share her perspectives on life as a kid with autism.
While expanding perceptions of autism, Micaela hopes to educate others on some of the challenges that people with autism might face and share the many opportunities for growth and learning that are available to children like her when they are respected and understood.
Micaela wrote Autism over the years as a way to share her experiences growing up with autism. She was diagnosed with autism at the age of two and a half and has spent the past decade learning, growing, and working to overcome the many challenges associated with this disorder. She is currently an eighth-grade student at the Lighthouse School of Ojai, a private school that specializes in educating children with unique learning profiles. In Micaela’s words:
“I wrote this memoir because I want to show people how I see the world, as a person with autism. I want to explain how my life has been different from many other people’s lives, and how certain thoughts and ideas came into my mind that other people did not understand. I want to share why I did things that seemed strange to others… I want to put an end to the idea that autism is a disease that needs a ‘cure.’ I want to put an end to autism being a taboo subject.”
This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Linda Cherry, Librarian, at (805) 677-7180.
Hill Road Library is located at 1070 South Hill Road. Hours of service are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
